New school center to specialize in math, science and technology

May 4, 2013

Carol's Daughter Midwest Territory Manager Renee Bolton of Chicago; Erica Joe, 30, of Detroit; Linda Smith, 56, of Detroit, and Jocelyn Riley, 35, of Northville share a laugh during the Michigan International Women's Show at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi on Saturday. Thousands of visitors came to check out booths for fashion, food, as well as items such as poison ivy control, dog treats and remedies for sore feet. / Jarrad Henderson/DFP

Written by

Free Press Staff

New school center to specialize in math, science and technology

Warren Consolidated Schools is opening a specialized mathematics, science and technology center for middle school students in the fall.

A group of 168 sixth-graders will take their math, science, technology and language arts education at the center, which school officials say is part of the district’s strategic plan to focus on student learning.

The new middle school program is dubbed (MS)2TC by administrators and patterned after the district’s Macomb Mathematics Science Technology Center (MMSTC). It will expand to include 168 seventh-graders in 2014-15 and 168 eighth-graders in 2015-16.

Students will be selected on the basis of achievement on the Iowa tests, parent application, student writing samples, CogAT (ability) testing and teacher recommendation.

Library to be the scene for 'Abe Lincoln' production

The Warren Civic Center Public Library will host a live performance of the nationally acclaimed production “Abe Lincoln, Mark Twain and the Civil War,” how a union president and a Confederate deserter fought against slavery and racism in pre- and post-war days.

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Dave Ehlert portrays Lincoln and Twain in the production at 7 p.m. Monday sponsored by the library, 1 City Square. The free program is open to the public.

The Huron-Clinton Metroparks will host a groundbreaking ceremony for its Storm Water Greenscape Project at Lake St. Clair Metropark.

The ceremony, at 1 p.m. Thursday, will take place in the parking lot across from the Children’s Play Area, will include remarks from Anthony Marrocco, commissioner representing Macomb County on the Huron-Clinton Metroparks’ Board of Commissioners; John McCulloch, director of the Huron-Clinton Metroparks, and Mark Hackel, Macomb County executive.

Construction is expected to begin this month on the $3.3-million project funded by the Huron-Clinton Metroparks and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The public is invited to attend. For information, call Lake St. Clair Metropark at 586-463-4581.

MILFORD

Civil War Encampment to be at Kensington Metropark

The 9th Kentucky Re-enactors Association is holding its Civil War Encampment at Kensington Metropark next weekend.

Nonprofit is looking for people to volunteer as drivers

ITNMetroDetroit, a nonprofit organization that provides transportation for seniors older than 60 who can no longer drive and for visually impaired people of any age, is holding an open house 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday.

People can learn more about the organization and how to become a volunteer driver or a rider.

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Transportation is offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week for any purpose within the service area.

Do you have Polish roots? Survey under way now wants your input

Polish Americans across the state are encouraged to participate in an online survey now under way to gain a better understanding of the nation’s Polish-American population. The survey is a project of the Hamtramck-based Piast Institute and researchers at the University of British Columbia.

Results are to be published in a 2014 book about Polish Americans.

Numbering about 495,000, metro Detroit’s Polish-American community is second in size only to that of metropolitan Chicago. Nationwide, the Polish-American population is estimated at 9.6 million.

The award was created to honor a library for “getting out to the community and demonstrating its value” and to highlight a community that values its library, according to Nancy Dowd, product lead for LibraryAware. Canton beat out more than 100 other libraries.

The public is invited to the after-hours event, which will include light refreshments and feature many of the library’s community partners.

LIVONIA

League of Women Voters plan informational meeting about proposed school changes

The League of Women Voters will hold a public meeting about some of the proposed changes to Michigan’s public schools at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Livonia Civic Center Library, 32777 Five Mile Road.

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This is an informational meeting about the various proposals being discussed by the legislature, education experts, the governor and Michigan citizens. The League’s state president, Sue Smith. will deliver a presentation entitled, “Financing Public Schools in Michigan: Time for a Change?”

Topics will include Gov. Rick Snyder’s plan, “Any Time, Any Place, Any Way, Any Pace Education,” whether cyber schools, schools of choice, and charter schools are the answer to current education woes, and the proposed expansion of the Education Achievement Authority in Michigan.

DETROIT

Fund-raiser campaign has goal restoring, replacing windows at historic building

The East Michigan Environmental Action Council (EMEAC) is inviting residents to celebrate the start of the Windows of Opportunity fund-raising campaign with a local wine and cheese tasting 7-9 p.m. Friday.

EMEAC and its partners at the Cass Corridor Commons are working to restore and replace the windows at the historic Cass Corridor Commons/Unitarian Universalist building at 4605 Cass Ave., where their offices are quartered.

Guests will have the opportunity to tour the Commons and learn about EMEAC’s 40-year history as an environmental justice organization.

The money raised through the fund-raiser will be used to replace aging and broken windows throughout the Detroit landmark, which is made up of three buildings — the Unitarian Universalist Church, McCollestor Hall and the Paul McAdow House built in 1891.

For tickets and RSVP, go to emeac.eventbrite.com, call 313-556-1702 or or e-mail dee.emeac@gmail.com.

Donations also can be sent to: EMEAC, 4605 Cass Ave., Detroit 48201.

METRO DETROIT

SEMCOG plans 4 meetings to discuss Regional Transportation Plan

The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments is hosting four public meetings to talk about the 2040 Regional Transportation Plan and the 2014-17 Transportation Improvement Program.

The Transportation2040 Plan, to be adopted in June, will address how the region’s transportation system can support continued economic recovery, environmental health, community revitalization, and quality of life. The short-term funding priorities identified in that plan will be spelled out in the FY 2014-2017 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

University of Detroit Mercy aims to help kids, adults improve reading skills

University of Detroit Mercy Special Programs will offer eight reading skills programs for 4-year-olds through adults this summer.

Early summer session begins the week of June 18, and a late summer session begins the week of July 22. Tuition and materials fees vary by program level, and classes will be in Detroit and Southfield.

Reading programs for younger students build comprehension, and students learn the phonics and fluency skills they need to become strong readers. Programs for older students and adults are geared toward improving comprehension and study skills, vocabulary, and speed reading.

The programs, offered as a community service by the University of Detroit Mercy Special Programs since 1996, are taught by instructors from the Institute of Reading Development.

For information or to register, call 888-201-2448.

METRO DETROIT

Credit union group is urging nonprofits to apply for grants up to $2,500

Michigan’s Metro West Chapter of Credit Unions is seeking Detroit-area nonprofit organizations in need of financial grants of up to $2,500 each to support local community improvement activities.

The money must be used to directly benefit the communities served by the Metro West Chapter of Credit Unions. These include Belleville, Brighton, Canton, Dearborn, Detroit, Eastpointe, Flat Rock, Highland Park, Hillman, Lathrup Village, Livonia, Melvindale, Northville, Plymouth, Redford, Romulus, Taylor and Westland.

Nonprofit organizations that wish to apply must submit a written grant request of no more than two typewritten pages by July 3.

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Grant recipients will be recognized at the annual Metro West Chapter Charity Golf Outing at the Northville Hills Golf Club on Aug. 15.

Get a close-up look at fire trucks and more at safety services open house

Ann Arbor’s safety services open house will be 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.

Fifth Avenue will be temporarily closed in front of Fire Station No. 1, 111 N. Fifth Ave., between Huron and Ann streets, to host the festivities. A police awards ceremony will occur on the first floor of the Ann Arbor Justice Center, 301 E. Huron St., beginning at 11 a.m.

DNR installs EZ launch system for canoes, kayaks at rec area

The Department of Natural Resources has installed a new EZ Launch Accessible Transfer System for canoes and kayaks at Brighton State Recreation Area so that beginning this month, anyone can enter their kayak or canoe unassisted in the 119-acre Bishop Lake.

The accessible transfer system provides accessibility that exceeds the minimum requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Users place themselves onto the bench from their wheelchair and then slide over and drop down into their kayak or canoe while using handrails.

Funds for the purchase and installation of the launch were awarded through the Michigan State Waterways program.